The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The Council of Advisers of the Caretaker Government yesterday approved in principle the Fertilizer Management (Amendment) Ordinance 2007 with a view to preventing selling of substandard fertilizer in the name of organic fertilizer.

The approval was given at the regular meeting of the Council of Advisers held at Chief Adviser's Office with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in the chair.

In the Fertilizer Management Ordinance amendment, the definitions of organic and mixed fertilizers, inscription of manufacturing date and maximum retail price of fertilizer on fertilizer bags have been incorporated aiming at stopping production and sale of adulterated and substandard fertilizers.

The meeting was apprised that definitions of organic and mixed fertilizers were not incorporated in the Fertilizer Management (Act) of 2006. As a result, the meeting observed that unscrupulous traders are used to cheat with farmers by buying adulterated and low-standard organic fertilizers.

The meeting also discussed and asked for re-examining incorporation of expiry date of fertilizer in the draft Ordinance to prevent selling of date expired fertilizer.

The Council of Advisers held elaborate discussions on two proposals on the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance-2007 and formation of a joint commission on bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

The proposals were placed by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs respectively. After thorough discussion, the council of advisers asked the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to re-examine the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance-2007 and place it before the council afresh

The meeting also asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to re-examine the various clauses of its proposal to form the joint commission between Bangladesh and Myanmar and submit the proposal again before the council.

Advisers of the caretaker government atended the meeting. Cabinet Secretary, press secretary to the Chief advisers and secretaries concerned were present

All members of the Advisory Council atended the meeting while the Cabinet Secretary and other concerned Secretaries were present at the meeting.